For a UK private seller both are now free to sell on: Vinted charges no selling fees, and eBay UK removed fees for private sellers in every category except vehicles. The difference is reach and range. Vinted is built around second-hand fashion and home items with buyer-paid shipping, while eBay sells almost anything, offers collection or your own courier, and charges US sellers insertion and final value fees.
I read Vinted's how it works pages and eBay's UK selling page plus eBay's US selling fees page, as of October 2026. This question comes up most from UK sellers, because eBay changed its rules for private sellers, so that's where I'll start.
Vinted and eBay side by side
| Vinted | eBay | |
|---|---|---|
| Selling fee (UK private sellers) | Zero selling fees | Free to sell in all categories except motors |
| Listing limits | Not stated on the pages I read | Up to 300 free listings a month in the UK, then 35p per listing |
| US sellers | No selling fees; keep 100% of what you earn | Insertion fee plus a final value fee; up to 250 zero insertion fee listings a month |
| Who pays the buyer protection fee | The buyer, added at checkout | Not stated on the UK sell page |
| Delivery | Prepaid label paid by the buyer; drop-off or home collection in the US | Collection in person and/or a carrier of your choice |
| Ways buyers pay | PayPal, bank card, Apple Pay or Vinted Balance | Cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, PayPal Credit and eBay balance |
| Free to sell (as of October 2026) | Free to list, no selling fees | Yes for UK private sellers, except vehicles |
What changed on eBay for UK sellers
eBay's UK selling page now says it's free to sell for UK-based private sellers. You don't pay transaction fees when an item sells, and that applies to every category except motors, which means cars, motorcycles and vehicles. You can list up to 300 items free each month, and after that it's 35p per listing. Extra fees can still apply if you add optional listing upgrades, or if the item sells or ships to a buyer in another country.
eBay also gives you more ways to hand over an item: buyers can collect in person, or you post it with the carrier you choose. For sneakers, watches, handbags and jewellery there's an Authenticity Guarantee, where experts check the item at no extra charge to you. If you sell as a business, eBay has separate tools for stock, orders and branding.
How Vinted keeps things simple
Vinted works differently. You list for free in the app, the buyer pays for postage, and you get a prepaid label. In the UK you drop the parcel off within 5 days. There are zero selling fees, and in the US Vinted puts it as keep 100% of what you earn. Vinted's own fee sits on the buyer's side and pays for its refund policy, which covers items that don't arrive, get damaged in transit or aren't as described.
You're paid as soon as the buyer confirms everything's OK. That makes Vinted quick for clothes, shoes and smaller home items where you don't want to think about postage costs or courier choices.
Where to list what
- Clothes, shoes and accessories: Vinted is built for them, and buyer-paid shipping keeps your side simple.
- Electronics, collectables, car parts or bulky items: eBay's wider range and collection option suit them better.
- Designer bags, watches or trainers: eBay's Authenticity Guarantee gives buyers extra confidence.
- Lots of listings in the UK: remember eBay's 300 free listings a month before the per-listing charge starts.
- Selling from the US: eBay charges insertion and final value fees, while Vinted says there are no selling fees.
For the full picture on eBay's side, read what eBay takes from each sale, and if you're new to the other app, here's a guide to selling on Vinted step by step.
My advice on Vinted or eBay
If your pile is mostly clothes, I'd list on Vinted first: it's quick, the buyer covers postage and you don't have to choose a courier. If it's a mix of gadgets, collectables and bigger items, eBay is the better home now that UK private sellers pay no selling fees. You can list on both, just take an item down the moment it sells so you never sell the same thing twice.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it free to sell on eBay in the UK?
Yes for UK-based private sellers. eBay says there are no transaction fees when an item sells, in all categories except motors, with up to 300 free listings a month and 35p per listing after that.
Is Vinted free to sell on?
Yes. Vinted says there are zero selling fees and adds its own fee to the buyer's side of the purchase.
Does eBay charge US sellers?
Yes. eBay's US fees page lists an insertion fee when you create a listing and a final value fee when the item sells, with up to 250 zero insertion fee listings a month.
Who pays postage on Vinted?
The buyer. You get a prepaid label and drop the parcel off, or in the US you can choose home collection.
Can I sell the same item on Vinted and eBay?
You can list on both, but remove the item from one site as soon as it sells so you don't sell it twice.
